Team America

This photo is Team America lead by pilot Chuck Lischer at the
annual National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, held
each year at the former CIA Stead Airbase. The formation is
their signature move, a 3-ship cross over that makes it look
like all three airplanes are going to crash into each other.
Like all other magic, there is a trick. The planes are not
lined up next to each other. Rather, they are different distances
from the crowd line. Our eyes do not have a reference point to
measure this, so we see them being the same distance away.
At that point, the lead airplane breaks right, while the
2nd plane breaks left, and they cross over at what looks
like the same point in space. Add the 3rd ship breaking
upwards, and it looks like a sure crash in the making. That
is the whole point to precision aerobatics...make it look
spectacular, but keep it safe to execute.